<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A team source said the Nets are very close to an agreement with Shareef Abdur-Rahim on a six-year contract worth roughly $38 million. To make the deal work under cap rules, the Portland Trail Blazers, who own Abdur-Rahim's rights, would have to agree to sign him to the contract and then trade him to the Nets using a $5 million trade exception that the Nets own. In return, the Nets would send a future first-round pick to the Blazers. If the Nets are unable to get the Blazers to agree to a sign-and-trade, Abdur-Rahim has agreed to sign with the Nets for their mid-level exception at five years for about $28 million, according to the team source. So, either way, it looks like the Nets will get their hands on Abdur-Rahim.</div> ESPN.com
So basically, we will be seeing Shareef in a Nets uni next season. I have to say with this move, the Nets have pushed themselves up quite a notch in the rankings among teams in the East. They have arguably the Top 10 players in they're respected positions (PG, SG, SF, PF). It's going to be an interesting season this year. I know this has said been said over and over, but I truly believe this time this will be one of the toughest Playoff races in the East in a very long time.
Yeah the Nets are going to be one of the top teams this year. Who would have thought after trading Kenyon Martin and reconstructing their team, they would become just as good if not better in just one year. Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Shareef are all potential all-stars and I think it will be interesting to see if these guys can build chemistry and compete in the East against teams like the Pistons and Heat. Another guy that a lot of people are forgetting about it Nenad Krstic. He had a very impressive rookie season and did well in the playoffs so the Nets pretty much have a set starting lineup for the next few years if they stay healthy. New Jersey is going to be one exciting team to watch next year and I can't wait for the season to begin.
Interesting signing, for some reason I thought they would get Stromile Swift, but with Shareef they have a good chance of doing well this year.
Nice sign by the Nets they are definitely going to be one of the teams to beat in the east this year with Carter, Jefferson, Kidd, and now Shareef. Nets are back to contending for a title.
^ Not quite. They have a solid starting lineup, but no bench whatsoever. I don't see them getting any further than the 2nd round. I wouldn't call them championship contenders just yet.
^ Actually, once they sign Rahim, they're probably going to split their MLE or TE between Dooling and either Songaila or Malik Allen. So they're bench will consist of Dooling, Best, Vaughn, Wright, Buford/Mercer, Collins, Songaila/Allen, and maybe Cliff. Of course their will be a few other guys in their to complete the roster. Their bench next year won't be anything to rival Detroits or SAs but it will be pretty good, and will certainly be better than Phoenix' or Miami's last year (both of whom WERE contenders).
I thought the Nets were over the cap and already used there full MLE on Shareef? How could they sign Dooling AND Darius Songaila? Unless I'm missing something...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Not quite. They have a solid starting lineup, but no bench whatsoever. I don't see them getting any further than the 2nd round. I wouldn't call them championship contenders just yet.</div> I don't see how the Nets will even need a strong bench. They now have Shareef, Jefferson, and Carter who all will probably put up between 35-40 minutes a game and it would be just silly to go out and spend serious dollar on a bench. They have a decent bench player in Antonie Wright who they just drafted. He should be able to contribute right away from the sixth man role, plus they can use their LLE to sign a guy like Kenyon Dooling to take some of the load of Kidd at the point guard spot. If they sign Dooling, their bench would then consist of Wright, Dooling, Jason Collins, Ron Mercer, and Cliff Robinson. The the best part is, they don't even need a bench because 60% of their starting lineup will play 40 minutes a game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought the Nets were over the cap and already used there full MLE on Shareef? How could they sign Dooling AND Darius Songaila? Unless I'm missing something...</div> They are still presently trying to work a sign and trade with Portland with the TE, but if they are forced to sign SAR with the MLE, then they can use the TE to pursure players like Daniels, Dooling, Songaila or Allen (though I'm not sure if they can split the TE between different teams and players). It could even be possible to trade the TE to capped-out teams like NewYork or Orlando for some guys.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting C.K.:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see how the Nets will even need a strong bench. They now have Shareef, Jefferson, and Carter who all will probably put up between 35-40 minutes a game and it would be just silly to go out and spend serious dollar on a bench. They have a decent bench player in Antonie Wright who they just drafted. He should be able to contribute right away from the sixth man role, plus they can use their LLE to sign a guy like Kenyon Dooling to take some of the load of Kidd at the point guard spot. If they sign Dooling, their bench would then consist of Wright, Dooling, Jason Collins, Ron Mercer, and Cliff Robinson. The the best part is, they don't even need a bench because 60% of their starting lineup will play 40 minutes a game.</div> You're joking right? If the Nets are content with making the playoffs and losing in the 2nd round, then there fine, but a championship team needs a strong bench. Look at The Suns this year. Sure The Spurs were strong, but the Suns couldn't even compete with the Spurs. A good bench makes the difference between good teams, and championship contenders.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post">You're joking right? If the Nets are content with making the playoffs and losing in the 2nd round, then there fine, but a championship team needs a strong bench. Look at The Suns this year. Sure The Spurs were strong, but the Suns couldn't even compete with the Spurs. A good bench makes the difference between good teams, and championship contenders.</div> it wasnt because of teh bench of teh spurs that dey beat suns, its because of the deefense spurs played... NETS are now def. top 5 in east, probably 3rd after heat and detroit.... nets gonna be a high flying team this year and will be exciting...
the Nets will rock next season! if you gona look @ there starting 5! most of them are allstar caliber! Carter, Jefferson and now Rahim can really put up serious #! all 3 are go to guys! Kidd will be happy to pass the ball to any of them! Krstic showed last season that he has game! and he mature pretty quick for a rookie! there bench might need a little patches to fill in but there starting 5 is SOLID!!!!
reef would be a nice piece in NJ...they need inside presence and players who can score consistently in the post...they also need rebounders...I feel that, with abdur-rahim, and with the possible signings of songaila and dooling, it will have been a very satisfactory offseason for them...
If he does come which it seems he is i will be most happy its a good fit I think its better than swift
